February Retail Sales Softer Than Expected

Retailers are announcing February same-store sales figures today. Research firm Retail Metrics projected an overall gain of 2.5% year-over-year, compared with a 5.1% gain in January and a 4.2% gain in February of 2012.

The research firm said this morning that the overall gain reached just 1.9% in February. Excluding drug stores, same-store sales rose 4.2%. The best performing sector was discount stores; the worst performer was teen apparel.

Costco Wholesale Corp. (NASDAQ: COST) reported that same-store sales for February rose 6% compared with February 2012. That is well above the Retail Metrics estimate for a gain of 4.6%, excluding gasoline sales.

Limited Brands Inc. (NYSE: LTD) said same-store sales for the four weeks ended March 3 rose 3% compared with February 2012 and a Retail Metrics estimate for a rise of 2.8%.

The Buckle Inc. (NYSE: BKE) reported same-store sales for February fell by 1.1% compared with the same month a year ago. The Retail Metrics estimate called for a drop of 2.3%.